Dear parents, caregivers, educators, and community,
Tomorrow is Winter Walk+Roll to School Day! Join schools across Portland and the state to celebrate this annual tradition, come together as a community, build connections, and celebrate getting to school in a fun and sustainable way.
Remember to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and tag us in your stories! We love celebrating your successes with the Portland community.
With gratitude,
Safe Routes to School Team | Brittany, Gui, Janis, Jeri, and Meaghan
Transportation safety education continues in schools across Portland
This winter, educators across Portland are teaching various transportation safety education programming to classes from elementary to high school.
In late January, David Douglas School District's Ventura Park Elementary School offered pedestrian safety education in physical education (PE) classes. This curriculum uses games and movement to teach pedestrian and personal safety skills. The goal is to help students feel safe getting where they need to go free from threat and fear of emotional, psychological, and physical harm. The curriculum was developed in partnership with PE teachers and is aligned with Oregon Department of Education's PE standards.
PE teacher Kelly Schlottmann also brought pedestrian safety education to Lent K-5 School students in late January. "Taking the walking field trips with all of the classes was an excellent way to practice in real time what we learned in the gym. It was an eye-opening, chilly time, but overall, I think the students and the parents who joined us appreciated the break from the classroom and the experience of using the skills outdoors."
Studies prove that pedestrian safety curriculum in schools can lead to real safety outcomes. In the early 2000s, Miami was one of the deadliest U.S. cities for pedestrians, especially children. Over a three-year period, 235 pedestrians ages 14 and younger were injured or killed by people driving motor vehicles. In response, Miami-Dade County and University of Miami formed the Miami Pediatric Traffic Injury Task Force, which developed a pedestrian safety curriculum for elementary schools. After the school district adopted the curriculum countywide, Miami saw an 87% decrease in child pedestrian traffic injuries.
At Benson High School, teachers began the Transportation Academy curriculum in mid-January. The Transportation Academy is a multidisciplinary unit that helps students build skills for navigating neighborhoods safely — whether walking, biking, rolling, taking transit, or driving — while helping students understand Portland's transportation system in ways that reflect their needs and values. It promotes traffic safety with the goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets. Learning extends beyond the classroom, encouraging students to apply these skills in their day-to-day lives.
Learn more about transportation safety education
Community spotlight: Ephraim Bano
Do you know someone in your community who helps kids and their families safely walk, bike, and roll to and from school? Tell us about them. We're interested in sharing their story!
Ephraim Bano is one of those people helping kids and their families safely walk, bike, and roll to and from school. Continue reading to learn more about Ephraim!
Question: Why did you start biking to school?
Answer: We started biking to school to cut the morning chaos. The transition from bike to drop-off is faster and smoother than driving. No traffic, no hunting for parking, no stressful last-minute stops. It's simply a calmer, more predictable start to the day.
Q: What's one piece of advice for families who want to try it?
A: Test your route ahead of time, ideally a neighborhood greenway or low-stress street so you know how long it takes. Invest in the right bike and weather-ready gear. And if you can, join a bike bus or another organized group, it's a great way to build community and confidence.
Q: What have you learned from biking to school?
A: It sets the tone for the day. The kids arrive happier, and we feel more energized. It turns the commute into something positive instead of a chore.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: Staying active, supporting our mental health, and reducing our carbon footprint are pretty obvious reasons. But honestly, the biggest motivator is the time together with our kids. These rides are core family memories in the making.
Q: What do you wish people understood about biking to school?
A: Not every morning will be magical. Some days will be chaotic, and you'll wish for a warm car. It takes time to build the rhythm. But if you stick with it, the payoff is huge. The joy of riding through the city with your kids is incredibly rewarding.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself!
A: Brooke and I met in Hong Kong, and we lived there for about six years before moving to Portland in 2010. Our kids, Elie (6) and Oren (4), were born here. When we're not biking around the city, we're usually camping around the region in our camper.
Tell us about someone in your community!
Pedestrian head starts near four schools
As part of Safe Routes to School and Vision Zero, we're making school zones safer by upgrading signals next to schools to include pedestrian head starts. Pedestrian head starts adjust signal timing to give people crossing a walk signal before people driving get a green light to turn. This makes people crossing more visible. It's a well-known and proven safety intervention used around the country. Pedestrian head starts have been shown to reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions as much as 60 percent at treated intersections, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials' Urban Street Design Guide.
Project elements
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) recently installed pedestrian head starts at four schools:
- Abernethy Elementary School: SE Division Street and Orange Avenue
- Ainsworth Elementary School: SW Vista Avenue and Elm Street
- David Douglas High School's Fir Ridge Campus: SE Market Street and 112th Avenue (for traffic traveling in both directions)
- Vernon K-8 School: NE Killingsworth Street and 20th Avenue
Funding
This work was made possible with a one-time General Fund dedication for safety improvements and was completed in partnership with PBOT's Signal and Street Lighting. Safe Routes to School will continue to advance pedestrian head starts near schools as funding is available.
Learn more about pedestrian head starts
Spread the message of traffic safety and love this Valentine's Day
We're inviting school communities across Portland to share the love this Valentine's Day and thank one another for being sweet on the street!
Print and share our custom Valentine's Day-inspired cards with students, parents, caregivers, and staff at morning drop-off as a way to offer gratitude for and encourage safe travel decisions. Each card has traffic safety messages listed on the back such as:
- "Organize groups to walk, bike, or roll to school together"
- "Stop for crossing guards, safety patrols, and school buses"
- "Watch for families crossing the street"
Why? Because we know making safer travel decisions aren't always easy, but they are always sweet.
Print your "Thank you for being sweet on the street" cards here
Get home safe: Snow and ice travel tips
During winter storms, crews with the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) work 24/7 to clear hazards from city streets and keep emergency routes open. Before the storm arrives, plan for winter weather:
- Create an emergency plan for winter with family and co-workers. Plan to work from home if you can or take public transit.
- Make a checklist for your home, business, and vehicle. Have ice melt and snow shovels ready to clear sidewalks. Consider overhead dangers such as trees or powerlines. Be prepared to keep ditches, culverts, and trash racks clear of debris if your home or business is in an area prone to landslides. Carry snow chains for your vehicles.
- Stay informed. Sign up for PBOT alerts via text or email. Follow @PBOTInfo on all social media. Visit PBOT's Guide to the Winter Weather Center to learn how to track the latest weather, traffic, road closure, and snowplow information.
- Stock up on food, water, clothes, and medications you, your family, your pets, or your business will need in case you are stranded by winter weather — at home or in your vehicle.
- Check in with vulnerable neighbors who may need help ahead of a storm or clearing their sidewalks afterward.
- Prepare to move your car off PBOT's "snow and ice" routes to give room for snowplows and other equipment.
Learn more about how to plan for winter weather
Grants, scholarships, and opportunities
Metro Future Vision Youth Committee
Due Sunday, February 8
Apply to join Metro's Future Vision Youth Committee to help shape the direction of the Future Vision — a foundation of shared values to guide regional programs, plans and policies 50 years in the future. It will touch on a wide range of topics, including transportation. This opportunity is for youth between 16 and 24 years old who live, work, go to school or spend a lot of time in Clackamas, Multnomah or Washington County. Committee members are eligible for a $100 stipend per meeting attended.
Learn more about the Future Vision Youth Committee
Teens in the Driver Seat Driving the Message Contest
Due Friday, February 13
This year's Teens in the Driver Seat, a peer-to-peer safety program for America's youth, Driving the Message Contest will give junior and high school students an opportunity to showcase their creative talents. Students have a chance to win up to $2,000 for their school in three different categories: t-shirt design, social media reel, and PSA video.
Learn more about the Driving the Message Contest
Project Yellow Light scholarship competition
Due Sunday, March 1 and Wednesday, April 1
People know distracted driving is dangerous, but they do it anyway. As a Project Yellow Light applicant you have one clear mission: create a billboard, video, or radio public service announcement to encourage your friends to avoid distracted driving, specifically using your phone while driving. Scholarships range from $2,000 to $8,000.
Learn more about the Project Yellow Light scholarship competition
The Ruby Bridges Foundation Lucille Bridges Award
Due Tuesday, March 31
The nomination period for the Lucille Bridges Award is officially open! Named for Ruby's mother, the Lucille Bridges Award honors students who tell the truth about difficult histories, take initiatives to improve their schools and neighborhoods, and engage in sustained, positive activism. Each year, The Ruby Bridges Foundation awards one outstanding student a $5,000 prize to support their next steps as a leader and advocate. To be eligible, students must have been registered and participated in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and be nominated by the school's principal, administrator, or other community representative.
Learn more about the Lucille Bridges Award
Skate Like a Girl Youth Employment Skateboarding
Due Wednesday, April 15
Calling all young leaders! Are you interested in gaining professional skills through skateboarding? Making new friends? Going on an unforgettable skate trip? If the answer is yes, then you need to join YES! The Youth Employment Skateboarding (YES) application is now open for Skate Like a Girl's 2026 cohort. Teens ages 13-18 are encouraged to join the YES teen leadership program to make new skate besties, work with skate industry leaders, and serve their community.
Learn more about Youth Employment Skateboarding
Benefits of Safe Routes to School
We know the benefits of Safe Routes to School programs — traffic safety, cleaner air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, cost savings, community connections, health, and better academic performance. The Safe Routes Partnership created an infographic that illustrates and put words to the expansive ways our programs help our communities. Their Benefits of Safe Routes to School webpage goes further outlining the different benefits for children, caregivers, communities, schools and school districts, and cities and townships as well as supporting research.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized Safe Routes to School as one of a handful of programs that are cost-effective and show significant population health impacts within five years.
The Safe Routes Partnership is a nonprofit organization working to advance safe walking and rolling to and from schools and in everyday life, improving the health and well-being for everyone, and building healthy, thriving communities for everyone. The Safe Routes Partnership is the national leader in the Safe Routes to School movement.
Learn more about the benefits of Safe Routes to School
City of Portland's America 250 City Art Poster Contest
The City of Portland Office of Arts & Culture, in partnership with Mayor Keith Wilson, invite creatives in Portland to enter the America 250 City Art Poster Contest — celebrating Portland's history and culture alongside the United States' 250th anniversary and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This contest is part of a nationwide program launched by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Endowment for the Arts being delivered as a component of the Mayor's Institute on City Design — a leadership initiative from both organizations. The City of Portland is proud to participate as a contributing city.
For this Portland-specific opportunity, the City looks forward to receiving commemorative poster submissions from artists and creatives of all skill levels (ages 13+) that represent the vibrancy of the local arts and culture landscape. Submissions should reflect the spirit, pride, and future of Portland, Oregon. All submissions are due by Sunday, March 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Learn more about the City of Portland's America 250 City Art Poster Contest
Oregon Department of Transportation seat belt safety enforcement
Law enforcement agencies across Oregon will step up seat belt enforcement through Sunday, February 8 as part of a statewide safety campaign. The goal is simple: encourage everyone on the road to buckle up. Whether you're driving across town or just around the block, make sure you are wearing your seat belt — and remind your loved ones to do the same. Life is short and the people who care about you want you home safe.
Learn more about safety belts and child seats
Survey: Help shape transportation safety in Oregon!
Join Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) in making Oregon's roadways safer for everyone. Take a moment to participate in the Transportation Safety Office's quick survey and share your insights. Your feedback plays a vital role in shaping safety improvements in your community and across Oregon. Together, we can make Oregon's roadways safer for everyone. Feel free to email TransportationSafetyInput@odot.oregon.gov with your additional input and ideas.
Take the traffic safety survey now!
Personal safety community resources
We want to help create a transportation system that allows all people to feel safe getting where they need to go. We put together free, accessible personal safety resources for community members, including how to report anon-urgent traffic safety concern, report bias and hate, participate in a self-defense workshop, and more.
Learn more about personal safety community resources
Job and volunteer postings
The City of Portland posts new job opportunities every Monday.
Portland Children's Levy Community Council
Due Monday, March 2
The Portland Children's Levy (PCL) Community Council advises staff and the Allocation Committee on PCL policies and processes, including community engagement and potential future funding rounds. It is composed of 11-13 members. The Community Council was created in 2022, operated under a set of bylaws, and is working through a three-year plan. There are currently six openings on the Community Council. Applicants are welcome to attend an optional Zoom info session on Thursday, February 5 from 5-6 p.m.
Learn more about the Portland Children's Levy Community Council
Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund Committee
Open until fulfilled
Are you looking for a space where your passion, knowledge, and skills will contribute to a more just society? Do you envision your city as one that advances racial justice and leads with equity to provide a clean energy future for frontline communities? The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund Committee is seeking leaders like you. With your help, we can ensure the most impacted Portlanders are prepared for a changing climate as we move toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Learn more about the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund Committee
What we're reading
- Miles of Memories: A Safe Routes to School Yearbook (Safe Routes Partnership)
- Healthy habits, healthy minds: Winter blues and how active transportation can help (Montana Department of Transportation)
- Federal officials investigate after Waymo self-driving vehicle strikes child near elementary school (ABC News)
- Waymo responds to safety concerns amid investigation into incidents caught on school bus cameras (ABC News)
- Improving road safety is a win for the climate, too (Streetsblog)
- Over 1,000 organizations come together with a clear message for congress: Walking and biking infrastructure is essential (PR Newswire)
- New ‘secret art' in Seattle only visible when it rains (Seattle Department of Transportation Blog)
Parts of this document were edited with the support of ChatGPT. City staff reviewed and fact-checked all content.